Steps to Take Before Filing for Divorce

 Posted on February 28, 2018 in Illinois Family Law

If you are thinking about filing for divorce in DuPage County, it is important to have an experienced advocate on your side throughout the process. At Farooqi & Husain Law Office, we regularly assist members of the Muslim community with family law matters, including the dissolution of marriage. Your Oakbrook Terrace divorce attorney can help to ensure that you are prepared for divorce and that you have taken all of the necessary steps, but in the meantime, we have some tips for making sure that you are on the proper track.

1. Get Your Finances in Order

Whether you handle the family finances or not, it is important to get your finances in order and to have a clear sense of marital property. As such, you should carefully consider your income and your budget, and you should also make a list of all marital property that you know about. When you make a list of property, be sure to include both assets and debts, and provide the following information:

• Type of property (for instance, real estate, stocks, retirement accounts, furniture, paintings, motor vehicles);
• Date acquired;
• Price paid for the property at the time of acquisition; and
• Whether the value of the property has changed since it was acquired.

You will need this information when it comes time for the division of marital property. Making a list now can help to ensure that no assets or debts are hidden. This list can also be helpful in classifying marital and non-marital property.

2. Consider Parental Responsibilities for Your Minor Children

If you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse are still able to communicate with one another, it is important to discuss how you will share parenting responsibilities for your minor children. Under Illinois law, parents do not have “custody” of or “visitation rights” for their children, but rather have parental responsibilities that include important decision-making responsibilities and parenting time. When parents can agree to the allocation of parental responsibilities, they can enter into what is known as a “parenting agreement.” Otherwise, the court will allocate parental responsibilities.

If you are planning to file for divorce, it is always important to consider how your children will be affected and to think through ways of making the allocation of parental responsibilities as seamless as it can be in order to maintain strong parent-child relationships.

3. Discuss Your Case with a Divorce Lawyer

Even though some divorces can be handled without a lawyer, it is always a good idea to have an experienced DuPage County divorce attorney on your side. Your lawyer can discuss options with you for property settlements, maintenance, child support, and the allocation of parental responsibilities. And in the event of a contested divorce, your advocate will be on your side every step of the way.

Contact an Oakbrook Terrace Divorce Attorney

If you need assistance filing for divorce or if you have questions about the divorce process, an Oakbrook Terrace divorce attorney can assist you. Contact Farooqi & Husain Law Office for more information about the family law services we provide to the Muslim community in DuPage County.

Source:

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/henry-gornbein/ten-steps-for-anyone-to-c_b_778509.html